Fort Buford State Historic Site [ND]

Description

Fort Buford State Historic Site preserves remnants of a vital frontier plains military post. Fort Buford was built in 1866 near the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, and became a major supply depot for military field operations. Original features still existing on the site include a stone powder magazine, the post cemetery site, and a large officers' quarters building which now houses a museum. Fort Buford, located near present-day Williston, was one of a number of military posts established to protect overland and river routes used by immigrants settling the West. While it served an essential role as the sentinel on the northern plains for 19 years, it is probably best remembered as the place where the famous Hunkpapa Sioux leader, Sitting Bull, surrendered in 1881.

The site offers a short film, tours, exhibits, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Ephrata Cloister [PA]

Description

One of America's earliest religious communities, the Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by German settlers seeking spiritual goals rather than earthly rewards. Gathered in unique European style buildings, the community consisted of celibate Brothers and Sisters, and a married congregation of families. At the zenith of the community in the 1740s and 1750s, about 300 members worked and worshiped at the Cloister.

The site offers a short film, exhibits, tours, educational programs, research library access, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site [TN]

Description

At the Tipton-Haynes historic site, 11 buildings tell a story of Tennessee's history from early settlement to the Civil War era. Contained within the large white house is the log cabin of Colonel John Tipton. In the 1850s, Haynes changed the front porch to what is seen today and constructed his law office next to the house. The outbuildings include a smokehouse, pigsty, loom house, still house, springhouse, and the large log barn and corncrib from the Tipton period. In addition, there is the home of George Haynes, a slave with the Haynes family. Colonel John Tipton is buried in the site's cemetery.

The site offers exhibits, educational programs, research library access, and occasional recreational and historical events.

Conrad Weiser Homestead [PA]

Description

The Conrad Weiser Homestead is a Pennsylvania state historic site which interprets the life of Conrad Weiser. Weiser was an 18th-century German immigrant who served as an Indian interpreter and who helped coordinate Pennsylvania's Indian policy. He played a major role in the history of colonial Pennsylvania. The Homestead includes period buildings and a new orientation exhibit, on a 26-acre Olmsted-designed landscaped park.

The site offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Belle Grove Plantation [VA]

Description

Belle Grove is an 18th-century grain and livestock farm, which, in its prime (circa 1815), encompassed about 7,500 acres of land. The unique limestone house was completed in 1797 for Major Isaac Hite and his wife Nelly, sister of future President James Madison. The house has remained virtually unchanged through the years, offering visitors an experience of the life and times of the people who lived there in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During the Civil War, Belle Grove was at the center of the decisive Battle of Belle Grove or Cedar Creek. Today, the plantation includes the main house and gardens, original outbuildings, a classic 1918 barn, an overseer's house, the slave cemetery, a heritage apple orchard, fields and meadows, and scenic mountain views.

The site offers tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas [NM]

Description

This historic rancho, now a living history museum, dates from the early 1700s and was an important paraje, or stopping point, along the famous Camino Real, the Royal Road from Mexico City to Santa Fe, NM.

The site offers demonstrations, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Mount Vernon - George Washington's Estate and Gardens [VA]

Description

Mount Vernon was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington from the time of their marriage in 1759 until General Washington's death in 1799. He worked tirelessly to expand his plantation from 2,000 acres to 8,000 and the mansion house from six rooms to 21. Visitors are invited to tour the Mansion house and more than a dozen outbuildings including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, and greenhouse. They can stroll four different gardens, hike the Forest Trail, and explore the "George Washington: Pioneer Farmer" site, a four-acre working farm that includes a recreation of Washington's 16-sided treading barn. George and Martha Washington rest in peace in the tomb where wreathlaying ceremonies are held daily, and the Slave Memorial and Burial Ground is nearby.

The site offers multimedia presentations, exhibits, tours, demonstrations, educational programs, river cruises, research library access, and recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Cracker Country [FL]

Description

Cracker Country, a rural Florida outdoor living history museum was established so that future generations might better understand and appreciate Florida's rural heritage. From the rustic cypress log corn crib to the grand old two-story Carlton house, Cracker Country features 13 original buildings dating from 1870—1912. These buildings were moved to their present location from throughout the state, then restored and furnished with antiques of the period.

The site offers exhibits, tours, and demonstrations.

Chicago's Rich and Rare Properties: Its Cemeteries

Description

Much has been written about the history of Chicago and the land of the living. This course will provide material about Chicago's Necropoli, the land of the dead. Through lecture and slide presentations, participants will discuss the role of cemeteries in early Chicago history, ethnic cemeteries, and mourning practices. The final session will take place at the home of the instructor for an overview of the paraphernalia of funeral homes and cemeteries.

Contact email
Sponsoring Organization
Newberry Library
Phone number
312-255-3700
Start Date
Cost
$115
Duration
Four weeks
End Date

Immigration, Religion, and Culture on New York's Lower East Side

Description

This workshop will "treat the Lower East Side, a neighborhood known for its immigrant history, as a primary source. Walking tours, lectures, and photography will bring teachers and a diverse group of scholars together to learn about how various ethnic, religious and immigrant groups adapted their religion and culture to America. The workshop aims to provide teachers with the tools and inspiration to bring the Lower East Side back to their classrooms." Specific topics will include "Eldridge Street Synagogue and Religious Adaptation," "Chinatown and the Development of a Port Culture on the Bowery/Chatham Square," "The African Burial Ground and African American Communities," "Irish and Italian Immigration and Foodways," and "The Interaction Between East European Jews and the German Christians on the Lower East Side."

Contact name
Freed, Phyllis
Registration Deadline
Sponsoring Organization
National Endowment for the Humanities
Phone number
1 212-219-0888
Target Audience
Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade
Start Date
Duration
Five days
End Date